Cycling shoe

ABSTRACT

A shoe ( 1 ), for cycling, has a sole ( 2 ) thereby the user exerts a pressure on a pedal and which is provided with housing ( 3 ) inside the sole ( 2 ) which includes a stiff container ( 7 ) which, inside thereof, receives: a gyroscope ( 11 ), a three-axis accelerometer ( 12 ) and a control unit ( 10 ), comprising a microprocessor, which receives the signals produced by the gyroscope ( 11 ) and by the accelerometer ( 12 ), with a software discriminating the different activities performed by the user of the shoe and identifies the pedalling activity; and a driving unit for turning-on and turning-off at least one light ( 14, 15 ), positioned on the shoe ( 1 ), which is activated when a pedalling activity is detected, said at least one light ( 14, 15 ) being visible outside the shoe sole.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a shoe intended for cycling. Such a shoe can be of the type which can be worn even for making other activities, such as simply walking or running, or of the type which is specifically adapted to restrain to a pedal. Generally, such a shoe has a sole thereby the user exerts a pressure on the pedal itself.

BACKGROUND

Different types of cycling shoes or shoes for making sports, including cycling, are known, which offer performances achieved by adopting integrated electronic devices, so as to make the shoe interesting for a technical user, sensitive to the technological progress. The adoption of devices of this type makes the shoe, as well as even other accessories, very interesting for the market of technical sportswear, under the logic of the so-called wearable electronics.

For example, US patent application Publication No. 2016/016,041 A1 discloses a system for analyzing sporting activities, based upon sensors inserted in shoes. The data can be transmitted wirelessly by the shoe. The sensors can include pedometers, accelerometers for detecting the travelling direction, GPS.

The system can be connected to a device with display wherein indications about the place in which one is located, including tourist information, information about ground and interesting places nearby, can be transmitted. The shoe can be used for cycling activities.

US patent application Publication No. 2016/0345653 A1 discloses a shoe including an accelerometer and/or a gyroscope too, temperature sensors, a wireless data transmission system, and with actuating buttons as well.

US patent application Publication No. 2016/335,913 A1 discloses a method for measuring the data obtained thanks to one or more sensors arranged in the sole of a shoe, which can be used in several sports including cycling, wherein data are transmitted wirelessly to a server which communicates with a feedback delivery unit, in case a smartphone—it also communicates for other purposes, including positioning (GPS) and weather forecasts; the sensor can include accelerometers, gyroscopes, GPS antenna.

Chinese utility model N. CN 205158137 U discloses a shoe model including a gyroscope and a unit for transmitting data to a microprocessor.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,066,558 B2 discloses a running shoe with a sensor for pressing a bladder formed in the sole. It may include other sensors like gyroscopes. The shoe can be used for cycling activities.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,523,704 B2 discloses a method for analyzing the athletic performances, including several devices included in shoes, a plurality of sensors of various typologies, several systems for wireless data transmission. A shoe is described in very general terms as comprising a gyroscope in the sole.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,356,856 B1, 1998, discloses a detector for measuring athletic performances which uses a shoe, with an accelerometer and a system for the wireless data transmission.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,468,808 B2 discloses a method for detecting sporting activities, by means of sensors of various type arranged in a shoe, which transmit wirelessly data to any electronic device, for example an electronic bracelet.

U.S. Pat. No. 8,974,349 B2 discloses an article which can be worn, in case a shoe, with a sensor of various type for analyzing the sporting activity. The shoe can include a wireless data transmission system for communicating with an electronic bracelet or mobile phone.

US patent application Publication No.-2016/0043662 A1 discloses a shoe for cycling, able to produce energy for feeding a bicycle with pedal assistance. The shoe can include lights fed by the shoe itself. The description is very general, without technical details and figures.

U.S. Pat. No. 9,301,569 B2 discloses a running shoe with a portion which can change color based upon the user performances.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,607,243 B2 discloses a shoe including a recess receiving a sensor which can transmit wirelessly data, relating to the user athletic performances.

US patent application Publication No. 2016/273,983 A1 discloses a shoe for cycling, including pressure sensors and wireless data transmission means, thus capable of providing data related to the cyclist physical performance.

International application No. WO 2014/147,066 A1 discloses a system for measuring the performance of a cyclist using sensors inserted in a shoe, in particular a pressure sensor capable of measuring the variations in pressure exerted by the cyclist on the pedal coupled to a gyroscopic sensor. However, the signal is sent to another device, outside the shoe and not correlated in any way with the turning-on of lights, therein the shoe is lacking, discriminating a usual walking from a pedaling activity.

US patent application publication N. 2009/193,689 A discloses a shoe having a lighting system with incorporated LED, with a control logic in a microprocessor. The patent application in particular relates to the position of LEDs and the presence of a contactless recharging system with a recharging plate. The shoe further includes a motion sensor, such as a piezoelectric switch or a MEMS, which produces a signal when the shoe is worn, and in case a sensor of environmental light. At last, it is specified that this shoe can increase the visibility of a user, such as a runner, a skier, a cyclist, but regardless of the ongoing activity, that is without discriminating among different activities.

British patent N. GB 2,352,551 A discloses a shoe which generates an alarm, visual or sound signal, when the shoe itself is subjected to be moved, and on this regard the shoe includes a motion sensor. However, it is to be noted that the signals are not sent after a discrimination of the shoe motion type.

At last, US patent application N. 2014/268,839 A1 discloses an article of clothing, a shoe in particular, arranged to give better visibility to a motorcyclist on a motorbike, but which can be adapted even to the use with a bicycle. In this context, the article of clothing is provided with light sources, for example LEDs and the like, the turning-on thereof can be synchronized with the turning-on of lighting system of the two-wheel vehicle. According to one of the described versions, the article of clothing can activate when it is onboard or near the vehicle, thanks to a proximity sensor. The device can operate also in collaboration with systems for detecting other vehicles and can act as direction and/or braking indicator. Motion sensors are not provided, then the turning-on of the lights is driven exclusively by the system for managing the lights onboard the vehicle.

As it is known, the examples of above-mentioned shoes are focused on different subjects, such as for example the analysis of the sporting activity, of the performed efforts, the recording of the route followed by the user, the energy production, the communication with other wireless devices such as smartphone or suitable bracelets.

However, no one of the above-mentioned shoes is capable of providing a help to the cyclist of functional type, so as to improve safety of whoever uses them and the utility of the shoe in general.

The invention has the precise purpose of implementing a shoe dedicated to whoever uses the bicycle as means of transport every day to go to work and get around town. A shoe with functionalities devised to increase safety in traffic.

SUMMARY

The technical problem underlying the present invention is to provide a shoe allowing to obviate the drawback mentioned with reference to the known art.

Such problem is solved by a shoe as specified above and as defined in the enclosed claim 1.

The main advantage of the shoe according to the present invention lies in the capability of recognizing the type of activity wherein the user is engaged and, when such activity is to pedal a bike, to provide without the help of other devices, an additional performance such as turning-on one or more lights on the shoe itself.

In particular, one light could be positioned on the back portion of the shoe, and act as position light. Moreover, such light or an additional light can act as direction indicator, or as service light, or still as headlight to illuminate the route.

The direction lights are then activated and deactivated with specific motions of the shoe, recognized by and in the shoe.

It is to be meant that the above-defined shoe, according to a preferred embodiment example, could have a battery, an activating button placed in the sole, a GPS antenna and wireless communication means to communicate with a dedicated device or with a general device such as smartphone or PDA, in case positionable on the handlebar, capable of providing information to the user or to receive input in case through a specific software application.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be described hereinafter according to an example of preferred embodiment, provided by way of example and not for limitative purpose with reference to the enclosed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a side shoe di a shoe secondo the invention;

FIG. 2 shows a rear shoe of the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a partially open view of a sole of the shoe of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 shows a top view of the inner portion of the sole of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 shows a view of a detail included in the sole of FIG. 3;

FIG. 6 shows a view of the detail of FIG. 6, in open configuration;

FIG. 7 shows a view of the detail of FIG. 5 inserted in a sole; and

FIG. 8 shows a block diagram illustrating the operation of the shoe of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

By referring to the figures, a shoe is designated in general with 1, and it comprises a sole 2 provided with a certain thickness, so as to provide an inner housing 3. The shoe 1 further comprises an upper 4 which is separated from said housing 3 by an insole 5. The sole 2 further comprises an edge 6 which has suitable openings the function thereof will be detailed hereinafter.

The housing 3 comprises inside thereof a stiff container 7, suitable to contain and protect some electronic devices. In particular, it comprises a first card 8 for managing a battery 9, the first card 8 being provided with a connection 23 to be connected to a battery charger, which could be in compliance to one of the usually used standards. The battery 9 will be of the rechargeable type, for example a Lithium battery.

The container 7 further includes a second card 10 provided with a microprocessor, a gyroscope 11 of the three-axis type and an accelerometer 12. The second card acts as control unit and receives the signals produced by the gyroscope 11 and by the accelerometer 12.

The card even includes a memory wherein a software is loaded, capable of managing said signals and giving instructions to a third card 13, still housed in the stiff container 7, which drives a first LED light 14 and a second LED light 15 which are arranged outside the container 7, with a suitable connection extending from the inner compartment thereof.

Therefore, said microprocessor receives the signals produced by the gyroscope 11 and by the accelerometer 12, with a software, included in the microprocessor, which discriminates the different activities performed by the user of the shoe and it identifies the pedaling activity.

This discrimination takes place inside the stiff container 7. The above-mentioned card 13 for illuminating, instead, acts as driving unit for turning-on and turning-off at least one light implemented by said first and second LED 14, 15, which are positioned on the shoe and which are activated only when a pedaling activity is detected.

The LEDs 14, 15 are visible outside the sole of the shoe and they can act both as position light, which can be turned-on continuously or alternatively, and as direction indicator, which can be turned-on alternatively with a pre-established frequency.

On this regard, the edge 6 of the sole 2 has a first opening 16 for accessing the connection of the battery charger, a second opening 17 allowing to access a door 18 communicating with said control unit, with programming purpose, a third opening 19 to expose externally the first LED light 14 and a fourth opening 20 to expose the second LED light 15.

The openings 19, 20 for the lights 14, 15 are positioned on the back portion of the sole.

In the sole 2, in particular in the front portion, a flexion sensor 21 is also arranged, suitably connected to the control unit, which can contribute to the operation of the shoe 1.

It is to be noted that the container 7 has sizes so as to be inserted to length into the housing 3 of the sole 2 at the heel, so that it remains still even during the use of the shoe.

The container 7 then provides the housing for means capable of discriminating a pedaling activity from other motion activities, based upon the signal provided by said gyroscope 12 and by said accelerometer 11.

Between the container 7 and the insole 5 a pressure activating button 22 is positioned, connected to the control unit. When the shoe is worn, the user weight presses the button 22 and provides for turning-on the devices inside the container 7.

The control unit, in combination with the signals received by the gyroscope 11 and by the accelerometer 12, with the possible help of the flexion sensor 21, provides means to the shoe for discriminating a pedaling activity from another user activity, such as walk, run, jump and so on.

Pedaling is characterized by a circular route producing variations in the positioning of the shoe which can be recognized through the signals of the accelerometer and of the gyroscope.

Moreover, even if in accessory way, the flexion sensor can provide signals indicating periodic flexions with substantially constant minimum and maximum values.

Based upon the recognition of the pedaling activity, the control unit activates the first LED light 14 which, considering its position, will act as positioning light and will remain turned-on with fixed or flashing light. Preferably the LED will have red light, to be more recognizable.

The first light 14 could remain turned-on for a pre-established period of time once pedaling has stopped, and then it turns-off.

The control unit could be arranged even to recognize other motions during pedaling, for example a side motion of the heel. This recognition can activate the second LED light 15 which, in this example, can act as direction indicator. On this regard, the second light 15 will be flashing and in case yellow or orange, to be recognized better. It could remain active for a pre-established time period or until performing another pre-established and recognizable motion, in case the same as before.

It is to be meant that the direction indicator could be also activated directly by the user, for example by means of a wireless communication system integrated in the sole 2 that is in the container 7, or it could activate if the user follows a pre-established route, detected by means of a GPS antenna, in case integrated in the sole 2 that is in the container 7. Other lights could be provided, such as for example side lights or front lights for illuminating.

To the above-described shoe a person skilled in the art, with the purpose of satisfying additional and contingent needs could introduce several additional modifications and variants, however all within the protective scope of the present invention, as defined by the enclosed claims. 

1. A shoe (1) for cycling, having a sole (2), through which the user exerts a pressure on a pedal, provided with a housing (3) inside the sole (2) including a stiff container (7) which, inside thereof, receives: a gyroscope (11), a three-axis accelerometer (12) and a control unit (10), comprising a microprocessor, which receives signals produced by the gyroscope (11) and by the accelerometer (12), with a software discriminating the different activities performed by a user of the shoe and identifying pedaling activity; and a driving unit for turning-on and turning-off at least one light (14, 15), positioned on the shoe (1), which is activated when a pedaling activity is detected, said at least one light (14, 15) being visible externally to the sole of the shoe (1).
 2. The shoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein said housing (3) in said sole (2), which receives the stiff container (7), is arranged at the heel of the shoe (1).
 3. The shoe (1) according to claim 2, wherein an insole (5) is provided between the sole (2) and an upper (4), with an activating button (22) arranged between said rigid container (7) and said insole (5).
 4. The shoe (1) according to claim 2, wherein the rigid container (7) includes a card (8) for managing a battery (9) and at least a rechargeable battery (9), said card (8) being provided with a connection (23) to be connected to a battery charger.
 5. The shoe (1) according to claim 2, wherein the rigid container (7) includes a card (13) which drives a first LED light (14) and a second LED light (15) which are arranged outside the rigid container (7), an edge (6) of the sole (2) being provided with respective openings (19, 20) to expose externally the first and the second LED lights (14, 15) positioned on a rear portion of the sole (2).
 6. The shoe (1) according to claim 2, wherein a flexion sensor (21) connected to the control unit is arranged in a front portion of the sole (2).
 7. The shoe (1) according to claim 1, wherein the control unit is arranged to recognize other motions during pedaling in order to activate a flashing light acting as a direction indicator. 